Edward p



(No Model.)

B. P. GAINBS.

' FIFTH WHEEL.

No. 440,804. Patented Nov. 18, 1890.

WITA'ESSES.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

EDW'ARD P. GAINES, OF PISGAH, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM E. FREELAND, OF SAME PLACE.

FlFTH-WH EEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 440,804, dated. November 18, 1890.

Application filed November 16, 1889. Serial No. 330,610. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD P. GAINES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pisgah, in the county of Giles and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fifth-Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

My said invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of the running-gear of vehicles, particularly that part known as the fifth-wheel, by which a very simple and cheap construction is provided, and one which is perfect in operation and result, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a running-gear embodying my improvement-s; Fig. 2, a detail longitudinal section through the fifth-wheel and adjoining parts on the dotted line 2 2 in Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale, and Fig. 3 a similar transverse section on the dotted line 3 3.

In said drawings the portions marked A A represent the front and rear axles, B B the front and rear portions of the reach, and C O the front and rear bolsters, respectively.

The axles A A are in the main the ordinary vehicle-axles. The front axle A is provided on its top with a stock a, on the center of which is formed the lower part A of the fifth-wheel, which is of a cup-shaped formation, having its bottom inclined from the center toward the outer edge to form a suitable cup to receive and hold the lubricant.

The front portion B of the reach is formed at its front end as the top part of the fifthwheel, with a circular aperture in its under side adapted to receive and inclose the lower portion. The bearing-surface of this part of the fifth-wheel is preferably formed inclined from the center downwardly for a short dis tance, conforming to the incline of the lower part, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, but near the outer edge is inclined upwardly away from the lower portion, leaving an open space near the edge of the fifth-wheel in its interior to contain the lubricant. This formation afiords a very firm and rigid bearing between the two parts of the fifth-wheel, and also provides the receptacle for the lubricant at a distance from the perforation through which the kingpin passes, thus providing against the waste of said lubricant by running down around said king-pin through said perforation. Hounds extend back from the rear of this part and are joined to the rear portion B of said reach in the usual manner, which portion is secured to the rear axle, as is usual.

The front bolster C is mounted on the top of the part B, to which it is secured by bolts 0, extending down through the said bolster,

and ears formed on the side of said part, as 6 shown, and the several parts composing the front end of the running-gear are secured together by a king-b0lt A which passes down through a perforation running through the center of said bolster, the fifth-wheel, and the axle, and brace-irons c and a are preferably secured under the head and nut of said bolt and run back from the top of the bolster and the bottom of the axle, respectively, to a suitable position on the top and under sides of the reach, to which they are secured by a bolt running through said reach and the ends of each of said parts, as shown, thus securing these several parts together very firmly and providing a construction of great strength and durability.

The rear bolster C is mounted on the top of the axle A in the usual or in any desired manner, and in each end of each bolster is mounted a standard G with a coiled spring c thereon, on the top of which coiled springs cross-bars C are mounted, thus providing a spring-bolster for the wagon-bed, if desired.,, As shown in the drawings, the lower por-" tion of the fifth-wheel fits closely within the upper portion, leaving no open joint between the two parts into which any dirt or gritty substance can enter. The lower portion being formed cup-shaped in its top side and a perforation being provided in the top portion of 5 tion through which the lubricant is introduced will of course be closed by a cap I) or The perfora- 10o other means, and thus all access to the interior of the fifth-wheel is cut off, while it is kept lubricated in a very perfect manner, and thus its efliciency in operation and its durability in use are greatly enhanced.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, in the running-gear of a vehicle, of the fifth-wheel composed of the lower part formed cup-shaped, with its interior inclined from the center toward the outer edge, and a top portion formed to receive and inclose said lower part and having the central portion of its bearing-surface inclined to conform to the inclination of the lower part EDWARD P. GAINES. [L.S.]

Witnesses:

J. H. OLIVER,

L. A. SMITH. 

